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The OSMP Department recognizes that the use of force is sometimes necessary for rangers to
carry out their public safety and law enforcement responsibilities. In such cases, and in
accordance with an individual’s resistance, an officer escalates or de-escalates the amount of
force employed, using only the level of force necessary to resolve the situation.

If rangers use their firearms to gain compliance/control from a suspect during the course of their
duties (without firing that weapon), it is considered use of force, and they must file a “use of
force” report. In the “use of force” report, rangers must check “lethal force” and explain the
circumstances in the comment section, including the case report number if available.

(Note: While this policy identifies appropriate levels of force for various situations, each use of
force is assessed based on its unique circumstances.)

Levels of Resistance
The OSMP Department and the BPD’s use of force policies are currently based on the Pressure
Point and Control Tactics curriculum (PPCT) developed in the 1980s by Bruce Siddle. Rangers
must keep in mind that any use of force can be presented in a court of law and an affirmative
defense would then have to be presented; thus, they must use only a reasonable amount of force.

When referring to levels of a subject’s resistance for reporting purposes and the purposes of
this manual, the following definitions apply:
• Psychological intimidation: Non-verbal cues indicating a subject’s threatening attitude,
appearance, and physical readiness;
• Verbal non-compliance: Verbal responses indicating an unwillingness to comply;
• Passive resistance: Nonviolent physical actions such as going limp, stiffening the body,
refusing to move, or others that hinder a ranger’s control;

• Defensive resistance: Refusal to comply with verbal orders combined with physical actions
that prevent a ranger’s control of the suspect;
• Active aggression: Physical actions of assault or attempted assault; and
• Lethal force: A deadly force encounter that is likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury to the ranger or another human being.

Prescribed Uses of Force/Levels of Control:
• Officer presence: The identification of a police officer’s authority by either verbal
identification or appearance. Rangers should announce their presence to each contact and
retain a uniformed appearance that assures a public citizen is aware of a ranger’s authority
and professionalism.
• Verbal direction: Interpersonal skills are an important factor in controlling suspects,
and rangers must understand they are responsible for the words they use when on duty.

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